Anesthesiologist Dr. Ashok Navalgund regarded his work with Dr. Thomas Starzl's liver transplant unit at the former Presbyterian Hospital in Oakland as part of his fulfillment of the American dream.
"My father loved this country," said his son, Dr. Yeshvant Navalgund. "He called America the 'promised land' where you have the freedom to make your own plans and achieve your dreams without restrictions."
Dr. Ashok Navalgund, of North Huntingdon, Westmoreland County, formerly of Upper St. Clair, died of cancer on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006, at home. He was 63.
"My parents, who are both doctors, were practicing in Chicago when Dad -- because of his reputation as an anesthesiologist -- was recruited by Dr. Starzl and brought to Pittsburgh," his son said. "He was one of two anesthesiologists on Dr. Starzl's staff."
He was later asked to join the liver transplant unit at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Oakland as its chief of staff and lecturing professor.
Born and raised in Belgaum, Karnataka, in India, Dr. Navalgund was one of three children of Anantrao and Laxmibai Kulkarni Navalgund. His father was involved in real estate management.
Dr. Navalgund and his wife-to-be, Dr. Krupa Kulkarni, received their undergraduate and medical degrees from Karnatak University. Dr. Navalgund specialized in anesthesiology and his wife in internal medicine.
In 1973, the couple immigrated to England, where they practiced until 1979, when Dr. Navalgund received an offer from Rush Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago.
"My father had planned on returning to India once his commitment to Dr. Starzl was completed," said his son. "But once he got here and experienced the opportunities that were available if one was willing to study and work hard, he decided to make America his home.
"Both my parents were admired by their patients -- my mother for her scholarly approach with her patients, and my father for his personality and charm."
Once the doctors were established in their practices, Dr. Navalgund became active at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Penn Hills, where he served as a board member and treasurer.
"My father strongly felt that the members of the temple and the local Indian community should not be cloistered, but very much involved with the Penn Hills community," his son said.
"He valued the friendship of the legions of non-Indian people that he became acquainted with through the years, and felt that the Indian community should be a part of the larger community. My father involved the temple in many community fundraisers, including fundraisers for the Penn Hills fire and police departments."
In 1992, Dr. Navalgund retired from hospital work and became the anesthesiologist for the plastic surgeons at the Aestique Medical Center & Spa in Greensburg.
"My parents traveled extensively in their later years," their son recalled. "But no matter where they traveled, whether it was to Africa or Switzerland or Hawaii, my father was glad to come back to the United States."
Dr. Navalgund is survived by his wife, Krupa Kulkarni Navalgund; a son, Dr. Yeshvant Navalgund, of North Huntingdon; a daughter, Punam Navalgund, of Sunnyville, Calif.; three grandchildren; and two brothers, Shrikant Navalgund, of India, and Dilip Navalgund, of Chicago.
Visitation will be from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Maloy-Schleifer Funeral Home, 915 Kennedy Ave., Duquesne, followed by a funeral service.
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